What Should You Know About Telematics?

In the Beginning

With the rise of the internet, telematics emerged. As computing devices shrank and increased, the demand for simple information-sharing methods increased. "telematics" was coined when telecommunications technology was first utilised to link computers and other electronic devices.

(Fun fact: Simon Nora and Alain Minc first used the term "telematics" in their 1978 study, "L'Informatisation de la société," which they wrote for the French Prime Minister in response to the rise of computing power and the advent of the Information Age.

Since then, computer processors have shrunk and become more commonplace, and telecommunication networks have expanded and become efficient enough to send vast quantities of digital data independent of the computer's location. Telematics installed on trucks transporting goods across the country or ferries enables fleet managers to monitor and manage their mobile workforce in near real-time.

How Does Telematics Work?

A car tracking device, also known as a black box, is the brain of a telematics system. It takes location information via GPS and vehicle-specific data via the ODBII port. Then it sends that information over GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 4G mobile data, or satellite connection to a centralised server.

The telematics unit records a plethora of information about the car, including its position, speed, idling time, hard acceleration or braking (as assessed by an internal accelerometer), fuel consumption, vehicle issues, and much more.

Our fleet management platform overlays all this information on a map in near real-time, making it accessible through encrypted mobile-friendly websites and apps.

With the help of GPS, sensors, and data from the vehicle's engine, fleet telematics may collect valuable information for fleet managers.

GPS technology

Geofencing technology allows real-time monitoring of a vehicle's whereabouts, velocity, and progress inside a predefined area.

Sensors

Permit recording information about driving habits, including speeding, swerving, and braking. Still, sensors can also track things like the opening and closing of doors, the rising and lowering of tail lifts, and even the temperature within a trailer.

Diagnosing the Engine

In-vehicle diagnostics solutions are mainly used to collect real-time information on fuel economy and vehicle odometer readings, which are then used to power digital equipment maintenance solutions.

Each car is equipped with a telematics device to collect and transfer data to private cellular networks and, eventually, to secure servers. Because of this consolidated repository of information, fleet management programmes may present fleet managers with clear visualisations that aid in optimising fleet operations.

The Internet of Things

Telematics also is proving essential in the transportation and logistics sectors of the Internet of Everything that Moves (IoTtM). Some industries have been early adopters of IoT because the data it gives enables them to optimise their resource allocation and travel plans. Hence, monitoring of engine and driver hours and the location of vehicles and equipment are all included in the IoTtM. The primary advantages of this are:

Save Money on Gasoline

Since fuel is one of fleets' most expensive operating expenses, monitoring and cutting back on wasteful fuel consumption is critical to optimising fleet performance. This is accomplished through telematics' ability to detect an unauthorised vehicle or equipment use, arrange more efficient routes, and decrease job site bottlenecks and engine idle (enabling firms to cut down on resulting fuel usage).

Less Expensive Repairs

Telematics alerts management to an impending vehicle and equipment breakdowns, allowing them to take preventative measures promptly and lowering the likelihood of unscheduled downtime (which is inconvenient and can have serious knock-on effects for other jobs). Routine maintenance is also simplified, which is excellent for maximising vehicle and equipment operational time.

Moderating Conversations

In the past, staying in touch with operators and drivers who were working in the field could be challenging. By automating many tasks previously performed by human operators and drivers, telematics streamlines communication and drastically decreases the burden on them. Operators can devote more time and energy to the tasks, and managers can get the information they need more quickly.

Improved Security

Regarding businesses that operate fleets of cars and equipment, safety is another key factor (and a primary legal responsibility). By keeping tabs on the operator and driver behaviour in addition to vehicle and equipment status, telematics enhances safety management. This facilitates the early detection and correction of irregularities, such as dangerous procedures. By pinpointing the exact location of an emergency, help can be sent there immediately.

When it comes to the ongoing difficulties experienced by big cities, telematics is assisting not just an industry but society in finding solutions. The so-called smart city' has emerged as a response to the increasing demands on urban infrastructure (especially transportation). In a word, this entails leveraging information and technological advancements to improve facets of urban life such as energy efficiency, traffic management, and overall quality of life.

Car Diagnostics/Health Report

You will receive a monthly email detailing the state of your vehicle. In addition, you can send in a request for diagnostics at any moment. It's an excellent way to reduce repairs needed and boost dealership service. This is an instance of a telematics function that imposes minimal additional costs on the automaker.

The three most common telematics interactions are monthly diagnostics reports, turn-by-turn navigation requests, and remote smartphone commands.

At the rate of one automated accident reaction for every 1.5 emergencies and Good Samaritan emergency button hits, five calls for roadside help, fifteen remote doors unlock, seven hundred and fifty requests for or downloads of a navigation system, and one thousand monthly diagnostic reports sent out, the number of remote doors unlocks is staggering.

More efficient handling of payroll

By recording when a vehicle starts at the beginning of the workday and turns off at the end, a fleet monitoring solution gives a precise, automatic record of an employee's time and location spent on the job. When payroll is automated, business owners not only save time formerly spent manually reconciling employee timesheets and job tickets, but they also increase the likelihood that their employees will be paid appropriately for such hours they have worked.

Unauthorised Use Decreased

By keeping automobiles off the road except during regular business hours, you can reduce the likelihood of accidents. But can you guarantee that your cars are only being used with permission by their drivers on their own time? Adopting a telematics solution allows you to track when vehicles are being operated outside of regular business hours and certain geofence regions to ensure they are always in the right place at the right time.

Reduced Servicing Expenses

Mileage, engine use, and time can all be used to trigger notifications via telematics. When combined with data on how employees use business vehicles, this allows for proactive maintenance to be performed on vehicles before they become a safety hazard.

In addition, an all-encompassing solution can notify you about diagnostic trouble codes like engine warning lights, so you don't have to depend on the driver to report issues. Instead, you can quickly address the issue and limit further damage.

Telematics: Its Promising Future

The potential of telematics in the future is staggering. Telematics currently allows for ongoing communication between neighbouring vehicles, whether you're driving your car or managing a fleet.

With the advent of innovative uses for GPS technology and the proliferation of mobile devices, the telematics industry is primed for rapid expansion. Increasingly fleets are realising they must keep tabs on fleet activity to keep expenses in check, increase productivity, strengthen responsibility, and guarantee continued compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Telematics will become fundamental to all cutting-edge fleet operations as owners seek "growing integrations into the larger scope of the corporation," such as with mobile workforce management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and business management (BMS) software.

Conclusion

Telematics emerged with the rise of the internet, allowing for simple information-sharing methods. It was coined by Simon Nora and Alain Minc in their 1978 study, "L'Informatisation de la société." Since then, computer processors have shrunk and become more commonplace, and telecommunication networks have become efficient enough to send vast quantities of digital data independent of the computer's location.

Telematics installed on trucks transporting goods across the country or ferries enables fleet managers to monitor and manage their mobile workforce in near real-time. GPS, sensors, and data from the vehicle's engine are used to collect valuable information. In-vehicle diagnostics solutions are mainly used to collect real-time information on fuel economy and vehicle odometer readings.

Telematics is becoming increasingly important in the transportation and logistics sectors of the Internet of Everything that Moves (IoTtM). It offers a variety of advantages, such as saving money on fuel, reducing expensive repairs, moderating conversations, and improving security.

Additionally, it is helping to find solutions to the increasing demands on urban infrastructure, such as energy efficiency, traffic management, and overall quality of life. The most common telematics interactions are monthly diagnostics reports, turn-by-turn navigation requests, and remote smartphone commands.

Automated accident reactions for every 1.5 emergencies and Good Samaritan emergency button hits, five calls for roadside help, fifteen remote doors unlock, seven hundred and fifty requests for or downloads of a navigation system, and one thousand monthly diagnostic reports sent out, reduce the likelihood of accidents and increase the likelihood of unauthorized use.

Adopting a telematics solution allows businesses to track when vehicles are being operated outside of regular business hours and certain geofence regions, reduce servicing expenses and notify drivers of diagnostic trouble codes. The potential of telematics in the future is staggering, as it allows for ongoing communication between neighbouring vehicles and the proliferation of mobile devices. Telematics will become fundamental to all cutting-edge fleet operations as owners seek integrations into the larger scope of the corporation.

Content Summary

• The need for straightforward approaches to transferring data grew in tandem with the miniaturisation and proliferation of computing equipment.
• The term "telematics" was coined once it became common to practise to use of telecommunications infrastructure to link various electronic devices.
• Technology has progressed to the point that large amounts of digital data may be sent regardless of the physical location of the computer, with processors shrinking and becoming more ubiquitous.
• Fleet managers can keep an eye on their mobile workforce in near real-time with the help of telematics systems installed on trucks and ferries delivering commodities throughout the country.
• The central processing unit (CPU) of a telematics system is a vehicle tracking device (or "black box").
• It receives GPS coordinates and vehicle information through the ODBII interface.
• The data is then transmitted to a central server via a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 4G mobile data, or satellite link.
• The telematics unit logs a wide variety of data about the automobile, such as its location, speed, idling time, hard acceleration or braking (as measured by an inbuilt accelerometer), fuel usage, vehicle problems, and more.
• All of this data is shown in near real-time on a map on our fleet management platform, which can be accessed via secure mobile-friendly websites and apps.
• Fleet telematics can potentially collect useful data for fleet management by using GPS, sensors, and engine data from vehicles.
• With geofencing, you can track a vehicle's location, speed, and movement in real time inside a designated area.
• Sensors allow for the capture of data regarding driving behaviours like speeding, lane-changing, and sudden stops.
• Nonetheless, sensors can monitor the trailer's interior temperature as well as the opening and closing of doors and the raising and lowering of tail lifts.
• The transportation and logistics sectors of the Internet of Things that Moves are also finding telematics to be indispensable (IoTtM).
• Certain sectors have been quick to adopt IoT because the data it provides allows them to allocate resources better and arrange logistics.
• Hence, the IoTtM include tracking and monitoring of engine and driver hours, as well as the location of vehicles and equipment. Primary benefits include: reducing unnecessary fuel usage is crucial to optimising fleet efficiency because fuel is one of the most expensive operating expenses for fleets.
• Telematics' ability to identify unauthorised use of vehicles or equipment, plot more expedient routes, and lessen task site bottlenecks and engine idle time all contribute to these ends (enabling firms to cut down on resulting fuel usage).
• By warning supervisors in advance of potential vehicle and machinery failures, telematics reduces the need for unplanned maintenance (which is inconvenient and can have serious knock-on effects for other jobs).
• Therefore, regular maintenance is easier, which is great for getting the most use out of your vehicles and machinery.
• In the past, it could be difficult to maintain contact with operators and drivers out in the field.
• Telematics facilitates better communication and significantly reduces the workload of human operators and drivers by automating various duties formerly undertaken by them.
• Managers can acquire the information they need sooner, and operators can focus more intently on their work.
• Another crucial consideration for companies that manage vehicle and machinery fleets is the security (and a primary legal responsibility).
• Telematics improves safety management by monitoring the actions of operators and drivers in addition to the condition of vehicles and other equipment.
• This allows for the rapid identification and repair of problems, such as potentially harmful practices.
• If the precise site of a crisis can be determined, aid can be sent there instantly.
• Telematics is supporting not only an industry but also society in finding solutions to the persistent problems faced by major urban centres.
• In order to keep up with the growing demands placed on city infrastructure, the concept of the "smart city" has evolved (especially in transportation).
• Simply said, this means making better use of data and technology to enhance aspects of city life like sustainability, transportation, and quality of life.
• In addition, you can always ask for a diagnosis by sending in a request.
• It's a great strategy for lowering repair costs while also improving dealership support.
• This is an example of a telematics feature that requires little in the way of extra resources from the car manufacturer.
• Monthly diagnostic reports, navigation requests, and remote smartphone commands are the three most prevalent telematics interactions.
• One automated accident reaction for every 1.5 emergencies and Good Samaritan emergency button press, 5 calls for roadside assistance, 15 remote door unlocks, 750 navigation system requests or downloads, and 1000 monthly diagnostic reports sent out.
• Payroll processing that is more efficient A fleet monitoring solution provides an accurate, automated log of an employee's time and whereabouts by capturing the times at which their vehicle is started and shut off during the workday.
• By eliminating the need to reconcile employee timesheets and job tickets manually, business owners may save time while increasing the possibility that their employees will be paid accurately for the hours they have worked, thanks to payroll automation.
• Accidents can be avoided if cars aren't allowed on the roads at all times of the day except during normal business hours.
• With a telematics system, you may monitor vehicle use outside of normal business hours and inside predefined geographic areas (geofences) to make sure your cars are always where they should be.
• Telematics alerts can be set off by a variety of factors, including mileage, engine usage, and time.
• Proactive maintenance can be performed on company vehicles before they become a safety problem when this information is paired with data on how employees utilise company vehicles.
• A comprehensive solution can also alert you to DTCs, such as engine warning lights, so you don't have to rely on the driver to report problems.
• Alternatively, you can take swift action to fix the problem and contain it.
• The future of telematics is quite exciting.
• Whether you're travelling alone or managing a fleet, you may take advantage of the constant connectivity between nearby vehicles made possible by modern telematics.
• The telematics sector is set for explosive growth as new applications for GPS technology emerge and the number of mobile devices in use increases.
• More and more fleets are realising that monitoring fleet activities is essential to minimising costs, maximising output, fortifying accountability, and ensuring ongoing conformance with all relevant rules.
• As fleet owners seek "increasing integrations into the greater scope of the firm," telematics will become essential to all cutting-edge fleet operations, including mobile workforce management, ERP software, and BMS software.